as i write this, i sit in a random mediterranean restaurant in downtown san francisco.

i currently live in south bay, but i made the “trek” to the city to join a protest for ukraine. honestly, it was beautiful to see the amount of support and love people can project from so far away. i was in the crowd as songs were sung, leaders gave speeches, and passing cars honked in support. the political climate of the world as a whole can be (is?) terrifying at times—it felt nice to remember that other people feel the fear too and are willing to do something about it.

on another note, since the demonstration, i’ve basically been walking with zero purpose around san francisco. i just put in some headphones and walked in a straight line for about an hour or so. these hills make it a proper workout.

but one thing i can’t help but notice is how much difference a block makes—especially in terms of what seems to be blatant wealth disparity. i’ve always been familiar with the housing crisis in america, but it feels different when you actively walk through those neighborhoods where there are more people sitting on the curb than cars. on one level, i felt on edge knowing i was on the sketchy side of town. but even more so, i felt disappointment—in ourselves, the american people, for letting it get to this. in knowing that we have accepted the coexistence of great luxuries with equally great poverty.

sigh. at least this restaurant has great falafel.